Big World Small Talk

Saturday, 4 June 2016

A short write up on Mobile RS-24 Yars ICBM a MIRV'd ((Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles) variant of Mobile Topol-M ( SS-27 ) ICBM , both share quite a few common characteristics ( 50 percent similarity per its Chief Designer ) but differ significantly in their payload and next generation BGRV/Glide Vehicle that Yars carry compared to single warhead Topol-M.

Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology
(MITT ) is the lead designer & developer for both SS-27 Topol-M and RS-24 Yars ICBM under the leadership of legendary Yuri Solomonov Hero of Russia

As with previous write up on S-500 will stick to known facts on these system with reference to interview with MITT Chief Yuri Solmonov and Commander of Strategic Missile Forces Lt. Gen.
Sergei Karakayev where these ICBM are managed and deployed.

SS-27 Topol-M was developed in the early 90's with ability to MIRV the ICBM and as replacement of SS-25 , The MIRVng part was not followed through due to Arms Limitation Treaty of the late 80's and the political event that followed with the disintegration of Soviet Union in the 90's with the Political and Economic upheaval that followed. Nevertheless the designer went with a solution for Topol-M SS-27 that could be MIRV'd with 3-4 Warhead if need be and a single 800kt TN warhead was adopted for Topol-M.

As older SS-27 and SS-19 started getting decommissioned at the end of its guaranteed life MIRVng Topol-M was becoming an attractive option with MITT spending years in developing new generation of BGRV/HGV that would be lighter , manouverable , faster and that could carry a lower yeald warhead with much better accuracy and so was born the RS-24 Yars.

BGRV - Boost Glide Re-entry Vehical

HGV - Hypersonic Glide Vehical

RS-24 Transporter Erector Launcher ( TEL )

Photo Credit: Vitaly V Kuzmin

Technical Details

RS-24 Yars ICBM has a launch weight of 49 Tons and has a range exceeding 11,000 Km with a throw-up weight of 1200 kg and carries 4 ThermoNuclear Warhead of 250-300 kt yeald along with decoys and jammers as countermeasures.

Yuri Solmonov its Chief Designer mentioned in an interview that compared to Topol-M half of RS-24 design and features are new Interview with Yuri Solmonov

Most interesting is its New Generation of BGRV/HGV that compared to its Single Warhead Topol-M Warhead that follows a Porpoise ( Skipping ) Trajectory , theNew Generation of Hypersonic Warhead of RS-24 was capable of performing altitude and trajectory maneuvers

“The capabilities of such combat means were demonstrated to U.S.
technical control means during the trials of the Yars ground-based
mobile missile system and the Bulava sea-based missile system. It also
concerns hypersonic warheads capable of performing altitude and
trajectory maneuvers,” he told journalists. “The new missiles have characteristics that allow them to stay invulnerable at all sections of their flight,” Karakayev said.

The
Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Federation stand on alert
missile systems to successfully complete the flight test missiles RS-24
"yars", equipped with multiple reentry warhead.
As reported in a press briefing the commander of the Strategic Missile
Forces, Lieutenant-General Sergey Karakayev, this weapon has
incorporated the best features of the missile "Topol-M" and received new
combat capabilities.

"It should be noted the ability of new missiles to be invulnerable during launch due to mobility and address, if necessary, challenge any possible
breakthrough in the next 15-20 years in missile defense.
To solve the problem of missile defense effort the developer have
provided such characteristics that allow us to speak about the
invulnerability of our new missiles in all phases of their flight, "-
said Karakayev.

He explained that the ICBM "YARS" invulnerable to missile defense,
including Boost Phase, the most dangerous phase of the
flight, with its Multiple Warhead. New ICBM Yars "have maximum reduction in boost flight phase, much shorter in time than the older types of missiles."
"In this short boost phase of flight the rocket vigorously maneuvers in height and
on the direction (trajectory ) making it impossible to forecast the meeting point for
interceptor", - said the commander.

"To make the missiles of these properties required to create a robust
and lightweight design, powerful engines and control devices, the
ability to accurately operate at significant G Factor ( overload )., flight tests carried out in recent years have confirmed that this problem has been solved ", - he stated.

Speaking about the next section of the flight "Yars" - Exo-Atmospheric
flight warheads Karakayev noted that all of these units are covered and Decoys and Jammers "Warhead themselves are now "stealthy" that is, the maximum reduction in the intrinsic
radiation in all ranges. waves through the use of special forms and
surfaces that absorb heat and radar radiation ", - informed the commander.

In the final atmospheric portion of flight during and post re-entry ICBM warheads flight portion is protected by the "Special Heavy Decoys" which are
indistinguishable from the real warhead till it reaches earth " "The results of the flight tests have shown that in this area our designers managed to solve tasks," - said Karakayev.

"All this allows you to confidently predict the ability of Russian
strategic nuclear forces to ensure security of the country in any
development of the international situation", - concluded the commander
of the Strategic Missile Forces.

Further details on RS-24 capability was provided by Yuri Solmonov in an interview quotinq excerpts

On Missile Defence:

Yuri Solomonov, questioned the effectiveness of a number of American and development on missile defense."Those technical means by which the Americans are trying to solve the
question of the object of interception, moving at a speed exceeding 10
kilometers per second, this task is technically unsolvable," - says
Solomon.In real conditions of combat employment with the surrounding dozens of
blocks and hundreds of false elements, completely identical warheads on
the totality of recognition features (dynamic, thermal and radar
characteristics), he emphasizes, to solve the problem of interception in
the time available it is impossible. Missile Shield

On Boost Phase

In
liquid-propellant rockets very long active part (boost phase) of the trajectory, they
can not be implemented in a high level of linear accelerations, which
is associated with the specific LRE.Therefore, the existing liquid-propellant rockets active regions is 3-4
times longer than that of "Topol-M", "Yarsa" or "Bulava", while
promising, this value will decline slightly - is 2-3 times longer. Interview with MITT Chief Yuri Solmonov

1 ) Short Boost Phase of ICBM as per its designer Yuri Solmonov the Boost Phase of RS-24 has been reduced 3-4 times compared to Liquid Fuel ICBM like SS-19/SS-18 , Boost Phase of Liquid Fuel ICBM like SS-19 and SS-18 is 3-5 minutes or 180-300 second Solving Imaginery Problem

Reducing Boost Phase or Active Phase of Flight of RS-24 by 3-4 times reduces its boost phase to 1 minute 15 seconds or 75 seconds of Active Flight in Boost Phase Short & Energetic Boost Phase has also a bearing on Speed of Reentry which translates to higher speed during re-entry

2 ) During Boost Phase the missile experiences significant Overload/Acceleration which increases its G Factor manifold as it accelerates and changes direction to avoid getting intercepted during boost phase of flight.

Note Boost Phase of Missile is the most vulnerable phase of any Ballistic Missile as it tries to leave the earth atmosphere and start the 2nd stage of flight with ejection of 1st stage booster.

3 ) Once the 2nd stage starts as it reaches an altitude of 150-200 km the Yars deploys Decoys and Jammers which makes it harder to distinguish its warhead from ICBM Warhead/Missile and Jammers try to Jam the ABM Radars while protecting the Missile & Warhead , while Yars accelerates and manouvers in space at speed of 10 km/sec ( Mach 29 ) as mentioned by Yuri Solmonov in his interview

Note Advanced Decoys and Jammers are a highly classified subject and much less is known on this subject in any open literature.

4 ) Post the 3rd Stage and deployment of BUS the Warhead Manoveres and Heavy Decoys are employed as it re-enters the atmosphere.

Development of Heavy Decoy which has lighter weight and yet re-enters at the same speed as the heavier warhead is a key breakthrough achieved during development of Topol-M SS-27 . Decoys have the tendency to burn out during re-entry and only the warhead enters the atmosphere making it easier for ABM system to track the real warhead as it reenters and slows down to a speed of 5km/sec , With the deployment of Heavy Decoys that re-enters with the warhead and remain till it is closer to earth complicates the discrimination of Decoys with Real Warhead and forces the ABM system to target the decoys and warhead an exchange ratio favorable for attack system like ICBM.

Yars advanced BGRV starts its maneuvering phase in the atmosphere towards the targets with significant G Overload due to lateral manouvering of BGRV making it difficult for the interceptor to predict an intercept point while keep up with High G Manouver in Atmosphere.

ABM interception is both space and time constrain as the Interceptor does not just have to deal with Trajectory and Height of the target it is intercepting which itself keeps changing for advanced BM but also Time is a key factor as the target acclerates at more than 5 km/sec in the atmosphere a miss factor of just 1 second by Interceptor while intercepting the target will be a miss distance of more than 4 km from the target.

Conclusion

As the initial deployment of Yars RS-24 started in 2004 the system has been deployed in number gradually replacing the Single warhead Topol SS-25 and Multiple Warhead SS-19 in both Silos and Mobile system

Although the throw up weight of RS-24 is lower then SS-19 with a lower yeald warhead but with the Mobility of the System , Matching Range and Significantly improved Missile Defense Characteristics and four warhead of 300 kt each and much better accuracy of system , RS-24 will not just replace these older generation missile but would also serve as base platform for next generation of RS-26 ICBM and Rail Mobile System currently under development.

Friday, 3 June 2016

LINUX FIREWALLS , 4TH EDITION

Got my copy of Linux Firewalls , 4th Edition . This takes the 3rd Edition of the excellent book Linux Firewalls Robert by Robert L. Zeigler's one step forward and adds new features of Linux Firewall , NFTABLES IDS and VPN to it.

The 4th Edition of the book is a must for anybody who loves Linux Firewall and IP Tables and what it can do.

Sunday, 29 May 2016

My goal for writing this article is recently there has been lot of press coverage on Russian S-500 Air Defense System , many opinions , facts mixed with truth and half truth thrown around to describe the system with many conflicting and contradictory information.

This article on S-500 is not a comprehensive one nor a one stop write-up on S-500 AD system , it is merely a collection of information ( links & quotes ;) collated from official Russian MOD and Almaz Antey Press release/interviews linked to provide better clarity on S-500 AD system

Many component of S-500 system is under development e.g Radar , C4ISR etc remains classified or specification not reveled hence avoiding these aspect where official information remains unknown.

Official Picture and Sketches of S-500 system reveled by Almaz Antey recently but no specification of these systems were provided.

1 ) The main requirements for the S-500 SAM system are: an increased capability to destroy ballistic targets (medium-range ballistic missiles, tactical and operational-tactical ballistic missiles) at an interception altitude of up to 200 kilometers and flight speed of up to 7 kilometers per second, and a capability to destroy warheads of hypersonic cruise missiles, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Work on the S-500 SAM system is going on scheduled. The work is part of the state armament program and will be completed before 2020," Ostapenko said. Interfax Almaz Antey

2 ) Major-General Alexander Golovko the aerospace defense forces under the current state armaments program until 2020 will buy five sets of S-500. The system is capable of hitting not only ballistic, but also aerodynamic targets (aircraft, helicopters and other air targets), as well as cruise missiles. VZ News

3 )S-500 is a new generation of anti-aircraft missile systems and is a universal set of long-range and high-altitude interception with increased potential missile defenses capable of intercepting ballistic missile warheads, flying at a speed of 7 km / s. Prospective Air Defence Missile will be able to intercept not only ballistic, but hypersonic and aerodynamic targets (aircraft, helicopters, other aircraft objects). Medium-range air defense missile systems "Vityaz" is to replace the legendary "S-300 SAM." With new construction principles Vityaz significantly increased its combat potential in both spatial capabilities and performance goals and physical destroyed. Starting serial deliveries of the system is expected in the near future "- said the former" Red Star "Deputy Commander of the Aerospace Defence Air Defence Major General Kirill Makarov. MOD Press Red Star 4 ) This was stated by Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov. "The work on the creation of a promising inter-service antiaircraft missile systems of the fifth generation of the S-500, which will ensure the defeat of the aerodynamic and ballistic targets of all types at all altitudes combat use," - he said. Itar-Tass

5 )RG:Q In space, too, would be nice to have such a barrier. he will provide the S-500?

Popovkin: This is the most important weapons - missiles. Because ninety percent of the pledged in the S-400 there will be - on technology, command centers, all other things. It (S-400 ) is still, in my opinion, till 25-30 years it will be modern. But a new, more "vigorous" rocket do need to be able to contend not only with the tactical, operational and tactical, strategic missiles, but also hit warheads flying at a speed of 7 kilometers per second. Rossiya Gazetta ( RG )
V Popovkin : Deputy Defense Minister

6 )S-500 will be able to simultaneously hit 10 ballistic targets with near orbital velocity. Told reporters on Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General of the Russian Federation Viktor Bondarev. He recalled that at the S-500 is tasked with responding to a number of new weapons for the class of tasks, primarily related to ensuring the defeat of both existing and future air and space attack, including in near space.

"S-500 will provide cover specific regions, cities, industrial facilities and priority strategic objectives. System will be capable of detecting and simultaneously hit up to 10 ballistic targets flying at a speed of 7 km / s, as well as warheads hypersonic cruise missiles. in its combat capabilities of S-500 is much higher than the standing now armed with S-400 "Triumph" - said the commander in chief. He said that in the S-500 is supposed to apply the principle of separation tasks destroy ballistic and aerodynamic purposes. "The main objective of the system - the fight against warheads medium range ballistic missiles, and if necessary and intercontinental ballistic missiles in the terminal phase and, within limits, in the middle part (mid-course )," - said General Bondarev.S-500 will be able to simultaneously hit the 10 ballistic targets with almost the first cosmic velocity - Air Force Commander

"By analyzing the existing technological advance and the momentum to solve problems facing developers - continued Air Force Commander - we estimate the prospects for the creation of the S-500 in a timely manner and in quantitative terms, the state program of armaments for the period up to 2020 as a very high" . "Although these issues are not perfect surprises," - he added. ( S-500 Dec 2012 )

7 ) Q Well, I congratulate you and sailors to this event, but still lets an S-500. The various sources of the concept of "system S-500" is interpreted in different ways. Moreover, even air and missile defense experts are confused in the testimony: what kind of system is it different from a S-400? I would like to hear the opinion of a professional.

- For obvious reasons, I can not tell you all the details. Nevertheless, I will answer: a completely new, not something in common with the S-400 system, since its design uses different from those used in the S-400 solutions. They allow you to implement tasks to be undertaken by means of a system on a different qualitative and quantitative level. And while we're on the topic of "what it is like", then I open another secret. In the guise of a new system, you will not find the same physical similarity, which is at the S-300 and S-400. Moreover, the results of our work is not a typical AAMS in its usual representation. It's more than that. We have always tried not to give the characteristics of the best world standards, I hope that this will be achieved in this project. Interview With Almaz Chief 2011

8 ) The S-500 is a new generation of anti-aircraft missile systems and is a universal set of long-range and high-altitude interception with increased potential missile defense system capable of intercepting warheads of ballistic missiles flying at a speed of 7 km / s. Prospective AAMS will be capable of hitting not only ballistic missiles, but also hypersonic, as well as aerodynamic targets (aircraft, helicopters and other air targets). Red Star

9 ) As for the anti-aircraft missile system S-500, it is definitely clear that it is entrusted with the solution of a number of new weapons for this class of problems, primarily related to ensuring the defeat of both existing and future air and space attacks, including in near space.
In this anti-aircraft missile system is supposed to apply the principle of separation tasks destroy ballistic and aerodynamic purposes. The main task of the complex - the struggle with the combat equipment of medium-range ballistic missiles and, if necessary, and intercontinental ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of flight and, within certain limits, in the middle section.Red Star

10 ) "S-500 is now in development, we know that not far off when it will be put into service and will go to equip the troops. It is a new word is to develop air defense systems, because before that the missile defense system developed separately, and air defense systems - separately. Here the system is being developed jointly and in a single-loop command and control will be possible as the fight against ballistic purposes (intercontinental ballistic missiles) and aerodynamic targets, "- said K.Makarov in the program," the General Staff "on radio RSN. Arms-Expo

11 ) "In the future, the S-500 is planned to merge with Russia's only missile defense system A-135, standing in the defense of Moscow and part of the central region of the country. In the near future to replace the latter should come a new missile defense system A-235," - says the publication . Ria Novosti

12 ) The creators of System A-135. General Designer of A-135, Anatoly Bassistoff stated that "the system has shown significant reserves in all respects." "High-speed interceptor missile can carry Lyuleva 53T6 defeat ballistic targets at ranges of 2.5 times larger and at altitudes of 3 times larger than we currently have certified them.Military Informant ; ZA

13 ) S-500 Interview

"MIC": When our armed forces will receive the first set of the latest generation of air defense missile systems S-500? How many army divisions of these systems can get to 2020?

- The long-term anti-aircraft missile system S-500 is under development, its adoption into service is planned until 2020. The timing and amount of deliveries of S-500 to the troops planned in accordance with the decision of the President of the Russian Federation to ensure the completeness of species and genera of the Armed Forces with modern weapons, military and special equipment. They will maintain the necessary level of combat effectiveness and objectives for air defense, concentrating its efforts on critical strategic sites.

"MIC": About this system is known not so much. What are the performance characteristics it will have?

- Anti-aircraft missile system S-500 will be able to solve the problem of the destruction of short-range missiles, medium-range missiles, as well as targets in near space.

As a guide tell you that in the S-500 is supposed to apply the principle of separation tasks destroy ballistic and aerodynamic purposes. The main task - fighting combat equipment of medium-range ballistic missiles and, if necessary, and intercontinental ballistic missiles in the terminal phase. Anti-aircraft missile system will affect both hypersonic aircraft and cruise missiles at low altitudes.

C-500 will provide cover for some large cities, industrial facilities and priority strategic objectives. In its combat capabilities AAMS will be significantly greater standing now armed with S-400 "Triumph" and its foreign counterpart - the American THAAD.

By promising the S-500 system to meet a series of requirements. This extended range of speeds and facial features of the targeted objectives, improving immunity, expansion affected areas, unification, integration with other types of firepower and air defense missile systems. Also, it must have the maximum possible mobility, the ability to operate in all weather conditions and operate effectively in the use of funds to overcome air defense, missile defense.14 ) "Currently, the corporation is developing the next, sixth-generation
radio communications resources for completing the various types of
military technology, including air-to-surface missile systems – those
already present in the armed forces and those that will be in the
future," said a representative of the Russian defense industry, noting
that the future S-500 surface-to-air missile system is one of them.

"The equipment will have completely new potential and will significantly
increase the quality, range, protection and stealth of communications.
Sixth-generation communications technology will be created within the
next two years," said the representative. S-500 Sixth Generation Communication SystemSummary

Information reveled by Russian MOD Official and Almaz Antey which is the parent organisation which has designed S-500 Air & Space Defence System , S-400 among others.

S-500 is designed from ground up to intercept Air Breathing Targets , Ballistic Targets ( ICBM , IRBM , SRBM ) and LEO Satellite this is keeping in with the tradition of Russian AD system to be multirole system.

S-500 Range though officially has not been reveled but the general known characteristic of the system is 600 plus Km Range with known Near Space Capability of Interception.

Near Space is a term used by Almaz Antey to describe interceptor space interception capability , S-400 newest 40N6 Long Range Interceptor Missile has Near Space Interception Capability of 185 km in Altitude but limited in intercepting targets flying at top speed of 4.8 km/Sec.

Two new Long Range Interceptor the 77N6-N and the 77N6-N1 are under development with Inert Capability ( Hit to Kill HTK ) and seperation warhead , it is not known if both the interceptor will have capability to intercept air breathing and space target or two different interceptor will have its own unique capability i.e one of Air Breathing targets and other for LEO/ICBM type target

S-500 Air & Space Defence System as mentioned by Russian Officials will have Terminal Defence Capability at 200 km Interception Altitude for ICBM type targets ( 7 km/sec ) and Mid Course Intercept Capability against IRBM type target flying at higher altitude , S-500 system are capable of Intercepting LEO Satellites with predictable trajectory and Hypersonic Glide Vehical a key requirement for this new AD system as interception of HGV are order of magnitude more complicated then Missile with ballistic profile , Intercepting Air Breathing Targets like aircraft and cruise Missile are inbuilt in the system.

S-500 is also built as Universal Missile much like S-400 system and its predecessor S-300 , due to its Universal Nature S-500 system will be part of future Russian Ships providing Air and Space Defense capability similar to land based counterpart.

S-500 does not provide ABM defence against Midcourse Target Flying at 7 km/sec speed i.e ICBM nor is it designed to provide ABM Defense on a National Scale like US GBI system but is designed to be Mobile and provide defense against Cities,Key Installation , ICBM Silos etc

S-500 AD system will be integrated with modernised A-135 system i.e A-135M and the yet under development its successor A-235 system that will provide National ABM System from Static sites.

Modernised A-135M system range has been increased to 2.5x times compared to current range of 60 km and altitudes of 3x times greater compared to its current altitude of 30 km of A-135 system as mentioned by its designer ,nothing much is known on A-235 system

Monday, 6 December 2010

GLONASS is a Russian global navigation satellite system which is extensively used for Civilian and Military navigation purpose. Its equivalent to US GPS ( Global Positioning System ) which is globally used for navigation purpose.

India is one of the countries which will benefit from GLONASS as it would avail the precision signal from GLONASS for military application. There are many combined GPS/GLONASS navigation gadgets available in the market for civilian applications.

Recently India used GLONASS signal for its Brahmos test and it successfully acquired and engaged the target and has been performing reliably and consistently.

Saturday, 6 November 2010

The President of United States is provided round the clock security by "United States Secret Service ( USSS )" , USSS provided security to the President , Vice-President and their immediate families.

The Mission Statement of United States Secret Service states

"The mission of the United States Secret Service is to safeguard the nation's financial infrastructure and payment systems to preserve the integrity of the economy, and to protect national leaders, visiting heads of state and government, designated sites and National Special Security Events"

The Vision Statement of United States Secret Service states

"The vision of the United States Secret Service is to uphold the tradition of excellence in its investigative and protective mission through a dedicated, highly-trained, diverse, partner-oriented workforce that employs progressive technology and promotes professionalism."

Random pictures of United States Secret Service ( USSS )

The most symbolic "US Airforce One"

Inside the Airforce One

Marine One ,Helicopter

Marine One provided an alternative to motorcade which some times tends to be expensive and logistically difficult. Marine One also provides the US President and Government official a high degree of safety while transporting officials.

The Presidential State Car , "Cadillac One"

The Presidential State Car and Logistics gets transported on USAF C-17 Transport Aircraft where ever the President goes.

President Obama and Transport Fleet on a state visit to Turkey

Secret Service Agents provides the inner circle personal security cover bubble to President

The "Football" goes where ever the President goes

Nothing is left unchecked,even man holes are throughly checkedby USSS

Counter Assault Team from Secret Service and FBI ,CA Team provides the out security cover to the President and are adequately armed for the task.

Secret Service Uniform Division

Secret Service Head Quarters

Secret Service provides cover to immediate family members of President and Vice President

Michelle Obama getting down from Presidential Limo. Note the Thickness of the Armoured Car Door

Secret Service Agent stand guard at Obama Daughter School

At the White House

Snipers of Secret Service at the roof top at White House

Jammers and Communication Antenna seen at White House

Closed Circuit Camera and Microphone seen at White House

Ground Motion Sensors seen at White House

Special Equipment used by Secret Service

The special watch provided by Secret Service to the President , Note the Secret Service logo on the watch , The president can press the logo on the watch and call for help of Secret Service Agent when required

The small red button at president office desk can be invoked to call USSS agents

At the conference table the logo of president and the red button to invoke USSS help

Secret Service Mic and Personal Communication equipment

Anti-Sniper Display Kit it provides warning on Sniper Attack and the location of sniper fire via the red LED as seen on the kit